The Drama Tag

The [drama] tag can be added to the subject of an email thread if that thread has become rife with drama. Future posters are asked to keep the tag when the reply. Anyone can add the the tag, and anyone can remove it (though that might be seen as inconsiderate if the tread truly qualifies)

Reasons to use [drama]

It allows people to create message filters based on the tag (I turn them purple)

It's optional and decentralized

It doesn't censor a thread, just tags it.

It is a gentle reminder to people that they are being dramatic on the internet

It's a meme, and memes should be spread

How to recognize a dramatic email thread

Someone is unhappy about something other people have done

Claims are made that others agree with the author, sometimes listing those people (building alliances)

The issue that sparked the dramatic email does not initially concern most of recipients, or even most the people who reply.

Emails are much longer than needed, make a case instead of stating facts.

Stilted use of language

Some poor fool has intentionally invoked Godwin's law.

Someone is explaining to someone else how the world really works.

An apology is demanded.

Someone is saying they don't see what all the fuss is about.

A history of Noisebridge-discuss epic threads

The one about putting stuff in the 'DJ Booth/server room'

Somebody wanted to put some of their stuff in the DJ booth. Some other people complained. Yet other people called those people over controlling. The door to the room was covered over with drywall, and now you need a ladder to climb in through the window.

That one about someone accidentally offending a trans person

Someone who was trans complained that somebody disrespected them. That person claimed it was unintentional. Everyone said they like trans people just fine, and some people said it was a dumb thing to be arguing over. At some point someone called another person 'bro' without realizing they were a trans woman and it did not go over well.

That one about moving the couch on top of the dark room

November 2009
Somebody put a sofa on top of the dark room as it was still under construction. Someone else took it down. Someone put it back up again, with screws. Someone wrote an email complaining. The sofa is no longer on top of the dark room (at this writing)

That one about getting wifi from monkeybrains

November 2009
Someone paid monkeybrains to install a fast wireless internet connection. Someone else thought that it might hurt the effort to install a fiber connection. Lots of people had opinions.